A stepmother
Chapter 12: Afraid of losing you
Next week, it will be the end of the first part of the story... I'm open to every idea for the next part :D
-So, I guess this was the reason why you wanted to be absent to school today, ain't I right?-asked Peabody getting into Sherman's room
-What do you mean?-he asked sat on his bed
-You needed time to plan your travel?-Sherman didn't answer.-Penny must have been a big surprise and a problem in your plans, too-the boy looked down.-But as usual, she must have told you that it was a great idea and that she'll go with you to have a new adventure-Sherman sighed.-Or was it a Penny idea? I always knew that girl was a trouble...-
-No, if you want to know that, it was my own fault-
-Was it your idea, Sherman?-
Sherman nodded his head.
Peabody looked down.-Alright, if you don't want to talk, I'll only tell you that you're absolutely grounded for a month-he turned around and started to walk away. Perhaps those weren't the exact words he wanted to say or use in that moment. He wanted to scream him "Why?" Why has he done it? Was Mr. Peabody a bad father? Did actually Sherman really need his real parents as he met them? Was his son unhappy with himself? Yeah, he wanted to ask and say all that stuff. But he didn't. It wasn't his style. It wasn't his way to be. He couldn't ask that to Sherman. He didn't want to talk to him either. He wasn't angry with him, he was angry with himself. He thought for a minute the possibility of have been a really bad father, and that let him down.
-It's... It's...-the red-haired boy muttered and his father listened to him
-It's unfair?-asked Peabody guessing
-No, it's not the way you think-
-How's that, Sherman?-
-It wasn't a plan... Or idea... I'm not even proud of what I did... It was a thought-
-Sherman, the worst things began from a thought-
-The best ones too-
-Was what you did good or bad?-
-I don't know if I can qualify it, but, it was useful-
-Useful? For what?-
-For not having more questions about my real parents... And for remembering why I never had questions about them before the "genealogical tree" fact-
Peabody knew that, it was because of the genealogical tree...
-Why you never had them before?-
-Because... I didn't need it-the genius dog stared at his boy.-I actually don't need it-
The beagle sighed.-Sherman, can you explain me how that thought began?-
-After the teacher gave us the genealogical tree homework I had a strange dream-
-A dream?-
-Yes, I dreamed with my real mother. I dreamed with the night in which she abandoned me-
-What did you dream exactly?-
-I dreamed that she was putting me inside the cardboard box, but it was like a memory, in fact, I can bet now that I saw the scene that it was actually a memory-
-You dreamed with a memory of your mother leaving you when you were a baby?-
-Yes-
-That's why you wanted to see Sigmund Freud, right?-
-Yep-
-I knew the crocodile dream was weird... If it had been real, you would have told me it before... Continue-
-Well, I've been dreaming with it like for... two weeks and today I dreamed with another memory from that day-
-Which one?-
-I dreamed with Penny and I looking at me when I was a baby-Peabody stared at him speechless.-That's how the thought began... But I swear that I really didn't want to use the WABAC without permission again, dad!-
-And how come you use it anyway?-
-I did it because I thought that those dreams wouldn't stop if I didn't do it-
-Have they stopped?-
-I don't know, I haven't slept yet-
-And Penny affected your plan or not?-
-I told her to stay here and cover me, but she preferred coming with me because she didn't want me to do it alone-
-That's all?-
-I think so-
-Fine-Peabody started to walk away again
-I'm sorry, dad-
He stopped and looked to his son once again.
-I'm sorry-he repeated.-Are you mad at me?-
-No, Sherman, I'm not mad at you-he walked to Sherman's bed
-And why are you acting like that?-
-Perhaps because I'm a bit mad, but not at you-
-And who are you mad at?-
-At myself-
-Why?-
-Because if you did what you did, it means that... perhaps I'm not so good father, I couldn't notice it-
-You noticed that something was wrong with me-
-But I didn't notice your dream, or that you were having problems to sleep, or that you were going to use the WABAC-
-You're not a fortune teller yet-
-But I'm your father and I'm supposed to know you. But it's not your fault-
-So, you're not mad at me at all?-
-A bit, but only because I was worry for you; I didn't want you to be hurt or anything; and it was extremely disobedient what you have done! The WABAC was made for other proposes... but you know that-
-Yes...-
-Sherman?-
-Yeah?-
-Can I ask you what you did there? Have you talked to your birth mother?-
-I have talked to her... But I didn't tell her who I really am-
-Why you haven't you told her who you really were?-
-Because I was afraid-
-Afraid of what?-
-Afraid of losing you-
Peabody regretted being mean to him, perhaps he was scared of losing Sherman too.
-You were afraid of that?-
-Yes, but not only losing you, losing my friends, the way I live, my family...-
-Well, that's pretty understandable; if you change the past, you know that you can alter your present and future-
He said yes with the head.-I know I disobey you, and I know I was wrong... but I wouldn't change what I have done-
-Why not?-
-Because it reminded me that I already have a genealogical tree-
-Which one?-
-Yours, dad-
The beagle smiled.-Alright, I forget you... but you're still grounded-
The boy laughed.-I know that, dad-
-Fine. Is there anything else you want to tell me?-
-Umm... Uh, yes!-
-What, Sherman?-
-I saw you!-
-You saw me?-
-Yeah, I saw how you find me... it happened some seconds after my birth mom abandoned me-
-Really? I haven't seen anyone...-
-Not surprising, she practically disappeared, me and Penny turned around two seconds and when we saw her again, she just wasn't there...-
-Oh, indeed. She must have tried to escape as fast as possibly...-
-I'm not sure if she was escaping, she was really sad for letting me go-
-I still can't imagine which situations made her do that, but it must have been hard for her-
-Well, she was young, perhaps too young for being a mother. She had red hair, just like me! But green eyes... her face was similar to mine, however-
-And Sherman... as your mother, hasn't she recognized you?-
-I can't answer you that... at the beginning she thought that I was her son, but then I said that my name wasn't Sherman, it was Hector...-You said that your name was Hector?-asked Peabody surprised
-Yes, I didn't think of any other name in that moment... because I actually was going to leave without talking to her, but I stumbled and she looked at me-
-You thought of my name?-
-Yeah... but I don't know if she believed me because when she was walking away she called me Sherman again-
-Well, she's your mother and you haven't changed so much since you were a baby, you have the same face... maybe she recognized you... but we'll just leave it like that, deal?-he extended his hand to Sherman
-Deal-Sherman extended his hand to him back.-Can I ask you two things?-
-Yes-
-First: who's that woman you were talking to? And second: what's Jennifer doing here?-
-I knew you were going to ask that... well, that woman is Jennifer's mother...-
-Your mother-in-law is here?-laughed the red-haired boy
-Ha-ha, Sherman...-
-That's why Jen is here-
-Yes, that and because she...-
-Wants to get back with you?-
-Something like that-
Sherman stood up.-Yes!-
-But... it's not something decided yet...-
-Don't lie! You like her, she likes you-
-It's not so simple, Sherman-
-Ugh, why adults always complicate everything?-
-Having a relationship and make it work is complicated-
-No... it isn't. Why being with someone you're in love with is so complicated?-
-You don't understand it because you're too young yet-
-Why adults always say that?-
-Some...-
-I bet now you're going to say "someday, when you grow up, you'll understand-
The beagle shut up; of course he was going to say that.-Mmm... no, I was going to say "some... persons have more problems in relationships than others". I hope when you grow up, you'll remember you're saying now and you won't have any trouble with Ms. Peterson-
-With...-Sherman started to be nervous.-With Penny?-
-Of course, more taking in a count the extremely "delicate" personality that she has... I really hope any of you two will have arguments when you came of age...-
-That's not fair!-he screamed making his father laugh
Someone knocked the door.-Excuse me, it's everything ok?-
-Hi, Jen-greeted Sherman, who didn't have the opportunity of greeting her before.-Yes, it is-
-How strange, your father doesn't seem AS angry as he was before, how have you done that?-
-Using some tricks... but don't get confuse, I'm grounded for an entire month-
-Oh, how bad-she got into the room.-But he's still more patient to you than to me...-
-He says that "having a relationship and make it work is complicated"-he repeated imitating him
-Really? Why adults are SO complicated?-she asked ironic
-I don't know, perhaps you'll know when you grow up-answered Sherman before starting to laugh
-What are you laughing at?-asked Jen's mother getting in too
-Not at you...-muttered Peabody
-What, Peabody?-
-Not at... nothing important, Mrs. Jason-
-Uh, how is everything at the ending, huh? Is Simon ok?-
Sherman laughed.-I'm not Simon, my name is Sherman-he stood up and extender his hand to her
-Oh, sorry, Sherman-he extender her hand to the young boy.-I'm Sarah Jason-
-Nice to meet you, Mrs. Jason-
-It's a pleasure for me as well, Sherman-
-So, if you're Jen's mother, you will be like my -grandmother?-
-If they start dating again, yes-
-I never had a grandmother or something like that-
-Well, I bet so... your father is a...-the kid's look moved her.-But it would be really nice to be your grandmother-
-Thanks, it'd be great for me too, Mrs. Jason-
-And who was the pretty girl who was with you before? The blonde one?-
-You mean Penny? She's my best friend-
-How many friends do you have?-
-I have... five: Penny, Carl, Mason, Abby and Jill. How many friends do you have, Mrs. Jason?-
-Not so many, I haven't seen my friends lately-
-Why?-
-Because I moved with Jen two weeks ago and I live far away from here-
-Really?-
-Yes-
-So, if you're living at Jen's house... you can come to my birthday!-
-When is your birthday?-
-Tomorrow-
-Tomorrow? Well, I need an advance notice... but...-
-Don't pretend, mom, we all know you don't have anything else to do-added Jennifer
-But, I would be really glad to come!-she decided
-Yeah!-
-Mom, I think we should leave-proposed Jen
-Who says?-asked the woman coldly
-You said that two minutes ago!-
-Well, now I think we can stay for some time more-she looked at Sherman and smiled. Telling the truth, Sarah has forgotten the idea of being a grandmother many years ago, when it was said that her daughter couldn't have children. But, like every mother, she really wanted having a grandson. And Sherman was the closest thing to having a grandson that she knew.
Sarah and Jennifer stayed an hour more. That was really strange for Mr. Peabody, and even for Jen. Any of them imagined that Sarah could have such a good relationship with Sherman. Because everything that Sarah was doing was basically playing and talking to the young boy.
-It's proved-said Peabody sitting near to Jen
-What's proved?-
-That a kid can move the coldest soul (no offense)-
-Don't worry, I'm with you-
-Who will say that she will like Sherman?-
-Almost everyone likes Sherman, he could even move you-
-Yes, he's a lovely boy...-
-No doubt about it-
-He saw me-
-What do you mean?-
-When he travelled to meet his birth mother... he saw me when I found him-he couldn't avoid smiling at remembering his beautiful boy.-You know, even though that happened eleven years ago... I still remember it as if it was yesterday-
-It's difficult to forget those kind of things, Peabrainy-
-Sherman didn't talk to her-
-Didn't he?-
-No, he told me that he decided not to do it, but he stumbled and she looked at him...-
-And?-
-And she called him Sherman, but he said that his name was Hector-
-Wow... it's obvious that he was thinking of you in that second-
-I'm really proud of him-
-Really?-
-But not only because of the choice of denying his name, I'm proud of him because he used the WABAC without permission-
-What?-
-I'm proud because he's brave and he defend his ideas-
-Have you told him that?-
-No, and perhaps I won't tell him, until he comes of age-
-You're really strange, Peabody-
-Thank you-
-Do you want to know why I came?-
-To talk?-
-Yes, but do you know about what?-
-I don't know it... But I bet I can guess it-
-Can we talk about us?-
-Jen, I still think that if you aren't decided to tell everyone that you're dating me, we can't go on-
-I know...-
-That means that you're disposed to admit it-
-I don't know yet...-Jen got an idea.-Can I give you the answer tomorrow?-
-At Sherman's birthday?-
-Yep-
-I'm not sure...-
-I'll be decided, and... I'll try to convince my mom not to come-
-I don't care if your mother comes or not-
-Really? You don't like her at all!-
-No, but Sherman does... It's his birthday, not mine, moreover if we get back together... She will be...-he swallowed saliva.-She'll be my mother-in-law-
She laughed.-Yeah, I forgot that!-
-Don't laugh at me!-
-Sorry, it's too hilarious!-
-How come your boyfriends could support her?-
-They didn't, any of them liked her. How good are you at laying?-
-Good enough I think... Why do you ask?-
-Because you can't tell you mother-in-law that you hate her-
-Indeed, but having her as my mother-in-law won't be so bad-
-Why not?-
-Because of Sherman and because of you-
-Would you be able to support her for me?-
-Don't laugh, but perhaps...-
-My mom said that you liked me... But she wasn't really sure if you loved me, do you love me?-
Peabody stood a bit paralyzed. Of course he did! But it wasn't easy for him to say that he loved someone, it was a problem that has been following him for many years... He said that to Sherman when he was seven! And he was his son!
He took a deep breathe.-I... I...-
-Jen! I think it's time to go!-screamed Sarah coming
-Where's Sherman?-asked Peabody worried
-He's there-she pointed a sofa where Sherman was sleeping.-He felt asleep. He's a good kid, Peabody, congratulations-
-Thank you, Mrs. Jason-
-See you tomorrow-she walked to the elevator
-About what we talked...-started Jen
-Ok, deal-
-Great, and think about what I have just asked you, alright?-
-I don't have other option-
She smiled and the both women went away.
